By Bruce Cooper and Mark Reynolds
Special to The Times
Sept 10, 2023 – One year after a major climate bill was passed, Pennsylvania is flourishing thanks to an influx of clean energy investment and jobs.
Mark Reynolds is the executive director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Bruce Cooper is the group leader of the Slippery Rock chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
When the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law last August, it unleashed a stream of clean energy projects, with Gov. Shapiro quickly taking the initiative to welcome at least $116.1 million of investment for our state.
He said: “We must reject the false choice between protecting jobs and protecting our planet. I believe we can do both – we can embrace the Commonwealth’s role as an energy leader, create good-paying jobs, and fulfill our constitutional obligation to protect Pennsylvania’s clean air and pure water.”
With our abundant natural resources and skilled workforce, Pennsylvania is well-positioned to embrace the fight to reduce climate pollution. In just one year, federal policy to support a clean energy transition has helped bring 157 jobs to our state. Meanwhile, the Department of Energy estimates we’ll see at least $270 million in large-scale clean power generation and storage in Pennsylvania by 2030.
All this investment illustrates how we can reap rewards for Pennsylvania residents while tackling the most pressing issue of our time — escalating weather extremes due to the heat-trapping carbon pollution we continue to release into the atmosphere, altering our climate.
Like many parts of the U.S., western Pennsylvania has not escaped this summer’s climate extremes. We’ve seen soaring temperatures, heavy downpours, and wildfire smoke filling our air . . . and lungs.
While such climate events can be overwhelming, the good news is the U.S. is rapidly embracing tangible solutions to reduce the carbon emissions damaging our climate. Even better, the solutions are boosting the pocketbooks of everyday folks. The Inflation Reduction Act was packed full of incentives for Pennsylvania residents with effectively a free “clean energy bank account” to cut emissions while reducing household bills and improving air quality. Savvy consumers are already taking advantage of savings adding up to more than more than $1,000 per year when purchasing electric cars, induction stoves and energy-efficient appliances.
But we are just beginning our journey to use climate solutions to better the lives of people in our state.
At the very least, the climate policy progress we have already made must remain intact. With an election year around the corner, it may be tempting to play politics around this legislation or around the climate issue in general, but any efforts to roll back or redirect this critical climate investment would be ill-advised. Voters like us want — and expect — these benefits to continue to flow into our state.
This summer’s climate headlines have been concerning, but the solutions to stop the escalating extremes are exciting.
As our legislators look to the future of our state, they should continue to ramp up our clean energy efforts, meeting the moment to reduce climate pollution while bringing good jobs and real-world benefits to the people of Pennsylvania.
Bruce Cooper is the group leader of the Slippery Rock chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. Mark Reynolds is the executive director of Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
Beaver County Blue: Voice of the 17th CD of Progressive Democrats of America 